Emma Lunne, Canfield cross country

Even though she’s been an avid runner since the second grade, Canfield’s Emma Lunne still doesn’t know why she enjoys it so much.

“Everyone always asks what I love about running and I can never really give a straight answer,” she said. “I just learned to love it.”

Her father, Dr. Denis Lunne, was a standout runner in the late 1960’s at Cincinnati St. Xavier. Emma also grew up chasing after four older sisters who ran. Soon, she’ll be chasing her dreams.

After a district championship and an appearance in the state meet, Lunne has offers to run in college. She still is going through her options, but Akron may be the frontrunner.

“I’m going to give it a chance at the next level,” Lunne said. “I’m going to regret it if I don’t. So I might as well try it.”

Lunne won the district title by nine seconds, tieing a school record of 19:07.57. At the state meet on Nov. 3, she finished in the top 100 with a 19:45.54.

“It was nerve-wracking to say the least,” Lunne said. “I wasn’t expecting it, but it was a good experience.”

She was named the All-American Conference American Division runner of the year and received an All-Ohio Academic award.

In the offseason, Lunne runs every day and tops 40 miles per week. Training for track has already begun and the Cardinals run outside and at the WATTS on YSU’s campus.

Lunne plans to major in nursing.